David Moran: 'As a manager, he's quite calm'

By Cian O'Connell

Sport is about finding a way to achieve success.

Obstacles and hurdles need to be cleared, and former Kerry midfielder David Moran acknowledges that Jack O'Connor's experience and calmness was a significant help earlier in this campaign.

Heavy Allianz Football League Final and Championship defeats to Donegal examined Kerry's resolve, especially with several marquee players injured during the year. "Back in 2009 it was nearly worse," Moran recalls. "We were finding it hard to get our groove.

"This year you could see that there were very, very influential guys missing in terms of leadership and that type of stuff.

"He'd (Jack O'Connor) have went through that in 2009 and came good in the end - thankfully. Maybe he leaned on that a little. He has been through qualifiers, he has been around the block, and done it every way.

"That definitely is a help. As a manager, he's quite calm, anyway. I don't see him getting panicked that much.

"So, I think his natural tendency to be relaxed would've helped. He'll have seen the big picture, and he'd be quite level headed in that regard."

Despite the setbacks and injury issues, Kerry have still advanced to Sunday's All-Ireland SFC Final against Mayo at Croke Park.

Resilience has been demonstrated. "It was a very testing time for the squad given the level of injuries," Moran remarks. "I think the level of injuries was probably a bigger concern than the results.

"You weren't playing with a full deck in any of the games. Credit to the medical staff, they got it right at the right time, and they've built nicely. You're just hoping you're playing with a full complement at the weekend.

"You've plenty of marquee draws - Armagh, Tyrone, and Dublin into Mayo in the final. Certainly, you haven't got the easier side of a draw or anything like that. It has been great, we've had plenty of games in Killarney, which has been great, and into Croke Park.

David Moran retired at the start of the 2023 inter-county season. Since then, Jack O'Connor's backroom set-up has altered, and Moran praises their contribution. "I think they've brought a lot," Moran responds.

"Sometimes, a bit of freshness is great in a set-up. I'd have worked with James Costello and Pa McCarthy at club level - they were very astute tactically.

"Aodan (MacGearailt), I'd have known him through the Kerry set-up, but I wouldn't have worked with him, he'd be very good.

"The thing for Jack, he wouldn't be bringing in yes men. He'd want guys to give their opinion, he'd definitely take it on board. It'd be a team decision, he'd rely on them, a lot.

"Kieran (Donaghy) would have been very coveted. Every team in the country would want him. So, it'd be very clear what he'd bring to the table and the fact they were able to get him was huge."

Considering Kerry football was such an integral part of his life, is Moran a good spectator now? "It's mixed," he laughs. "At times, you still feel you could do a job somewhere when you're watching things, but I've quite enjoyed it.

"I've really missed the games, but I really don't miss the training or anything like that with the level of commitment and stuff.

"I've enjoyed it. I was lucky, I'd the bones of 15 years inside there. Sometimes, it's just your time to go. I've definitely got better since the first year.

"When you lose a final you always think, if you'd stayed on would you've made a difference. Since then, no, I'm happy out the last couple of years."